Lacey Turner showed off her Strictly Come Dancing injuries as she arrived at rehearsals on Monday after placing third on the leaderboard over the weekend.
The EastEnders star, 38, performed a Cha Cha to How Will I Know by Whitney Houston alongside fan favourite Vito Coppola, 34, earning a standing ovation from Shirley.
However, her hard work on the dancefloor had a detrimental effect on her feet, with Lacey seen sporting a bandage on the back of her heel and wrapped around her big toe as she turned up in flip-flops.
The Stacey Slater actress continued the comfort with the rest of her ensemble, donning brown leggings paired with a cosy cream knitted jumper with a chilli pepper design.
And as she recovered from the busy weekend, the mother-of-three also sported green under-eye patches, which she attempted to conceal behind a pair of oversized shades.
Lacey, who swept her hair into a casual updo, also carried an M&S Food bag and a black holdall as she prepared to head inside for further rehearsals with dance partner Vito.
Lacey Turner showed off her Strictly Come Dancing injuries as she arrived at rehearsals on Monday after placing third on the leaderboard over the weekend
Her hard work on the dancefloor had a detrimental effect on her feet, with Lacey seen sporting a bandage on the back of her heel and wrapped around her big toe as she turned up in flip-flops
The pair had an impressive start to their Strictly journey, with their routine earning them 27 points – with sevens from Craig, Shirley and Anton and six from Motsi.
During Strictly’s first live show, YouTuber John Nellis surprisingly topped the leaderboard as viewers finally warmed to the ‘worst-ever’ lineup.
While singer Delta Goodrem’s Samba with Kai Widdrington landed them 29 points and second place on the leaderboard.
Meanwhile, Strictly fans applauded Emma Willis for ‘carrying the show’ after Josh Widdicombe was branded a ‘spare part’ in Saturday night’s first live show.
After getting off to a nervous start, Emma quickly warmed to her new role as she presented alongside Josh and Johannes Radebe.
The trio have received mixed reactions since they took over from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who departed the BBC show at the end of the 2025 series.
Lacey’s appearance comes after a recent interview with Prima magazine in which she said doing the BBC dance show now could be something of a ‘midlife crisis’ as she approaches the milestone.
Lacey said: ‘I’m nearly 40 and I want to start doing things I’m scared of. I want to go out of my comfort zone and push myself to see what I’m capable of.
EastEnders actress Lacey Turner, 38, performed a Cha Cha to How Will I Know by Whitney Houston alongside fan favourite Vito Coppola, 34, earning a standing ovation from Shirley
The Stacey Slater actress continued the comfort with the rest of her ensemble, donning brown leggings paired with a cosy cream knitted jumper with a chilli pepper design
Lacey, who swept her hair into a casual updo, also carried an M&S Food bag and a black holdall as she prepared to head inside for further rehearsals with dance partner Vito
As she recovered from the busy weekend, the mother-of-three also sported green under-eye patches, which she attempted to conceal behind a pair of oversized shades
‘Maybe it’s a midlife crisis, but I want to show my children that they can do anything they put their mind to.’
During the interview, Lacey also spoke about having a break from EastEnders.
She said: ‘For the first time in my life, I’ve had a long-time off work, and it’s been lovely to be with my kids, potter around in my allotment and do things just for me.
‘I genuinely love EastEnders and working, so I thought I would get bored during this break, but it’s been so lovely.
‘Will I come back to EastEnders? It will always have my heart and will be a big part of me. I love the show. I miss Stacey, so one day, I hope to go back – but when that is, I’m not sure. I just hope they don’t kill her off!’
And talking about why she said yes to Strictly, Lacey said: ‘I’ve been asked to do Strictly Come Dancing before.
‘I’ve seen co-stars like Jake Wood and Kellie Bright work at the same time as doing the show, and I don’t know how they did it.’
She said she is nervous about people seeing the ‘real’ her on the show, saying: ‘I’m nervous for people to see more of Lacey.
‘I’m opening myself up to people criticising me, not just my character. I’m quite terrified of the whole thing, and while I tap-danced when I was younger, this is very different. I am a bit scared of letting people in, but you can’t live your life in fear.’
STRICTLY COME DANCING 2026: MEET THE CONTESTANTS
LACEY TURNER
AGE: 38
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Playing Stacey Slater on BBC’s EastEnders
WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I’m so excited and terrified at the same time but I’ve had so many friends do Strictly and I thought it was about time that I plunked up the courage and made my way onto that dance floor.’
DELTA GOODREM
AGE: 41
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Played Nina Tucker in Neighbours and has released eight music albums
WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I’ve been incredibly honoured to perform on many different stages throughout my career – from tv, theatre, film sets, to touring my own shows around the world, there is however one stage I’ve never stepped onto and that is the ballroom floor!’
CACH MERCER
AGE: 25
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Won Love Island 2025 and is a TikTok influencer
WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I have grown up watching the show with my family and am so excited to now be part of the cast. Dancing is a huge passion of mine and I can’t wait to learn Ballroom and do the Foxtrot for the first time!’
DAME SARAH STOREY
AGE: 48
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Britain’s most successful Paralympian
WHY STRICTLY?: ‘Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting.’
BETHANY ANTONIA
AGE: 28
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Plays Lady Baela Targaryen in House of the Dragon
WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I have grown up watching Strictly, and I am so excited to take the challenge on and (hopefully!) learn a new skill.’
GRAEME ‘THE DOGFATHER’ HALL
AGE: 59
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hosts Channel 5 series Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly
WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I have watched the show for years, so to be a part of it feels like a very exciting challenge, albeit more than a bit nerve-wracking!’
TABBY STOECKER
AGE: 25
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Olympic champion skeleton racer
WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I’ve had the wildest year of my life so far, so to be rounding it off with a childhood dream of dancing in the Strictly ballroom is surreal and I can’t wait to get stuck in!’
MELANIE WALTERS
AGE: 64
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Playing Gwen West in BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey
WHY STRICTLY?: ‘Performing in Pantomime for the last 15 years, my Strictly ‘fix’ has always been watching in a dressing room rather than my front room.’
DANI DYER
AGE: 30
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Winning Love Island and being the daughter of actor Danny Dyer
WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I am so excited to be back in the ballroom this September! I just cannot wait to get my dancing shoes back on and hopefully this time around I can actually make it to week one!’
CHRIS APPLETON
AGE: 43
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hairdresser to the stars – including Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez
WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I’m thrilled to be joining Strictly and coming home to the UK for this incredible experience. I’ve always believed that the best things happen when you take a chance and try something new.’
WILL BEST
AGE: 41
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hosts Big Brother and previously TV
WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I’ve been lucky to do lots of live telly before, but absolutely nothing like this. And I cannot wait!’
JAIME WINSTONE
AGE: 41
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Starring in films such as Kidulthood and Tomb Raider
WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I am no stranger to a dance floor, but the ballroom is a whole new world for me.’
SHAUN WRIGHT-PHILLIPS
AGE: 44
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Footballer who played for the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City
WHY STRICTLY?: ‘Strictly is definitely outside my comfort zone, but I’m super excited to get started and really looking forward to the challenge!’
LAWRENCE ROBB
AGE: 34
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Plays Mackenzie Boyd on ITV’s Emmerdale
WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I can’t quite believe that I am going to be getting my dancing shoes on this September on one of my favourite shows of all time!’
JOHN NELLIS
AGE: 33
BEST KNOWN FOR?: Face of a popular football-focused YouTube channel
WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I can’t wait to meet everyone, learn a new skill and, hopefully, be much better at family parties by the end of it!’
